Alarm system transmitter

ABSTRACT

An alarm system having a security circuit loop which passes through an area to be protected and an alarm circuit loop for transmitting alarm signals to a monitoring center, including means for generating a plurality of discrete coded signals indicating the operation of an on-off switch located outside the protected area, a discontinuity in the security circuit and any authorized or unauthorized entry into the protected area and distinctively identifying the protected area.

Unite States Patent [451 Jan. 18, 1972 Lomonaco [54] ALARM SYSTEMTRANSMITTER [72] Inventor: John S. Lomonaco, 429 South Victory Blvd,Burbank, Calif. 91502 [22] Filed: July 2, 1968 I [21] Appl. No.: 741,953

[52] 0.5. CI ..340/276, 340/293, 340/409 [51 ..G08b 25/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..340/215, 309, 276, 274, 213,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,868,884 7/1932 Chase..340/276 2,492,432 12/1949 Laford... 3,085,235 4/1963 Ward.....3,484,771 12/1969 Falck, Jr. ..340/215 X SECURITY LOOP 7'0 MO/V/ TOR/N6CEA/ TER Kissinger et al ..340/309 X Muether ..340/309 Houghton..340/276 Chase et al. ..340/276 Primary Examiner-Donald J. YuskoAssistant Examiner-Scott F. Partridge Anorney-Rober1t Louis FinkelABSTRACT secoua MOTOR 8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures N/GH TT/ME DA YT/ME3&1 54' ALARM LOOP ALARM SYSTEM TRANSMITTER This invention relatesgenerally to alarm systems and more particularly to alarm systems of thetype wherein a security circuit loop which passes through an area to beprotected is energized so as to conduct electrical current, and anybreak in the circuit during such energization period produces an alarmsignal. Typically, the alarm signal is transmitted through aconventional alarm circuit loop such as a McCulloh loop to a monitoringcenter where constant surveillance is carried on by persons and/orapparatus. Visual and auditory alarm signals can also be given at thesecured area itself to alert security guards, policemen and the like ofthe break in the security loop.

The drawbacks and inefficiency of such a system are numerous because ofthe inability of the person at the monitoring center to discern betweenauthorized entry into the secured area on the one hand by the owner orsecurity guard, and unauthorized entry into the secured area on theother hand by a trespasser or the like, since both types of entrynecessarily require the opening of a door or window through which thesecurity loop passes. Even in those systems which provide a way for theowner or security guard to disarm the alarm before entering the securedarea, there is still no way for the person at the monitoring center toknow of the disarming. Even if the system provides a way to indicatesuch a disarming, there is still the problem of distinguishing betweendisarming which is authorized and disarming which is not authorized.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to avoidthe above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to provide a new andimproved alarm transmitter capable of distinguishing between entry intothe secured area by authorized personnel and entry by someone other thanthe owner or security guard. Another primary object is to provide afirst alarm signal to identify such an authorized entry and a secondalann signal to identify such an unauthorized entry. A related object isto provide first and second alarm signals of the foregoing characterwhich are coded to indicate the location of the particular securitycircuit involved.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an alarmtransmitter of the foregoing character which is inexpensive, simple, andreliable, and which cannot easily be circumvented by tampering with anyof the parts.

Another object is to provide a detecting and transmitting device whichis adaptable for use with conventional security loop circuits and withconventional alarm circuit loops such as the McCulloh loop, suchadaptability achieving advantages already mentioned without requiringthe time and expense of installing new security loop circuits or newalarm circuit loops.

Another object is to provide an alarm transmitter of the foregoingcharacter having a daytime and nighttime setting, wherein a break in thesecurity loop circuit during the daytime setting produces no alarmsignal, but wherein such a break during the nighttime setting producesan alarm signal. A related object is to provide a key switch whichestablishes a daytime setting when turned off and a nighttime settingwhen turned on.

A more specific object is to provide alarm transmitter of the foregoingcharacter which includes a first circuit means for generating a firstalarm signal whenever the key switch is turned on and also whenever thekey switch is turned off, the signal being one cycle of a code whichidentifies the location of the particular security circuit involved. Arelated object is to provide a second circuit means for generating asecond alarm signal whenever a break in the security circuit occurswhile the key switch is turned on, the second signal being a pluralityof cycles of the code which identifies the location of the particularsecurity circuit involved.

Another object is to provide an alarm transmitter of the foregoingcharacter which can be easily reactivated whenever there is anunauthorized entry which breaks the security circuit loop. A relatedobject is to provide for reactivation in that instance by turning thekey switch to off, closing the door or window through which entryoccurred in order to close the security circuit loop, and then turningthe key switch back to Still another object is to provide an alarmtransmitter of the foregoing character which detects and identifiesintermittent security loop breaks caused by power failures, electric eyeinterruptions, and the like, and which also distinguishes alarm signalsresulting from improper closing of the security loop circuit.

A further object is to provide a method for protecting a secured areawhich includes generating and transmitting different coded alarm signalsidentifying and distinguishing between operation of the on-off keyswitch, an unauthorized entry which breaks the security loop, improperclosing, and intermittent security loop breaks such as power failure orelectric eye interruption.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novelcombinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear inthe course of the following description. The drawing merely shows andthe description merely describes a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention which is given by way of illustration or example.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an alarm transmitter incorporating apreferred embodiment of the invention, the parts being shown as they arewhen the key switch is in the off or daytime position, the electricalinterconnections not being shown; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the electrical circuitry of the embodiment shownin FIG. 1, the switches being shown as they are when the key switch isin the off or daytime position.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a plate 10 is provided on which are mounteda first cogwheel or code wheel 12, a first spur gear 14 proportionallycoupled thereto through a pinion 16 attached to the first cogwheel, anda first motor 18 with an output shaft 19 for turning the first codewheel and the first spur gear, the motor being mounted on the undersideof the plate 10. A plurality of teeth is arranged in a predeterminedpattern around the circumference of the first code wheel 12 forperiodically engaging operating arms 20, 20a of an alarm signal switchS6 mounted on the plate 10. A pin 22 is located near the circumferenceof the first spur gear 14 to periodically engage operating arms 24, 26of switches S5 and S3, S4, respectively, the three switches also beingmounted on the plate 10 and normally being closed, closed, and open,respectively. When the first motor 18 is energized, the rotation of thefirst code wheel 12 and the first spur gear 14 therefore periodicallyactuates switches S3-S6 at a predetermined rate and sequence, as will bedescribed in detail hereinafter.

On another portion of the plate 10 is mounted a similar arrangement ofelements including a second cogwheel or code wheel 28 having the samepattern of circumferential teeth as the first code wheel 12, a secondspur gear 30 proportionally coupled thereto through a pinion 32, and asecond motor 34 with an output shaft 35 for turning the second codewheel and the second spur gear, the motor being mounted on the undersideof the plate 107 However, in this instance the teeth of the second codewheel 28 periodically engage operating arms 36, 36a of an alarm signalswitch S7 mounted on the plate I0. A pin 40 on the second spur gear 30periodically engages operating arms 42, 44 of switches S1 and 52,respectively, which are normally connected to lines 46 and 48,respectively. When the second motor 34 is energized, the rotation of thesecond cogwheel 28 and the second spur gear 30 periodically actuatesswitches S1, S2, and S7 at a predetermined rate and sequence, as will bedescribed in detail hereinafter.

The purpose of the alarm switch S6 is to open and/or close one or moreelectrical circuits to provide an electrical signal at a remotelocation. Various electrical switches are suitable for this use and apreferred switch, typically known as a McCulloh brush, is illustratedherein. The McCulloh brush switch S6 has two sets of contacts, one setbeing normally closed and one set being normally open. The arm 20 andswitch member form the normally closed set. The arm 20a and switchmember 81 form the normally open set. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. rotation of the code wheel 12 will first open the normally closedset by engaging the arm 20, and then close the nonnally open set byengaging the arm 20a. The alarm switch S7 may be identical to the alarmswitch S6, with arm 36 and switch member 82 forming the normally closedcontact set and with arm 36a and switch member 83 forming the normallyopen contact set. Referring to FIG. 2, switch member 80 is connected toterminal No. 6 of a terminal board 21, arms 20 and 200 are connected toswitch member 82 by line 21a, switch members 81 and 83 are connected tocircuit ground, and anns 36 and 360 are connected to terminal No. 7.Terminal No. 8 is connected to circuit ground. Various arrangements canbe utilized for connecting the alarm transmitter to the remotemonitoring center. The transmitter as illustrated is particularlyadapted for the McCulloh loop which incorporates ,a leased telephoneline in the alarm loop, with telephone line conductors connected atterminals No. 6 and No. 7, and with the telephone line ground connectedto terminal No.8.

Referring to the electrical circuitry in FIG. 2, an on-ofi' key switch49 is provided for turning the alarm system to an off or daytimeposition and to an on or nighttime position, the fonner connectingterminals 50 and 52 to terminals 54 and 56, respectively, and the latterconnecting terminals 50 and 52 to terminals 58 and 60, respectively. Thefirst motor 18 can be energized by a power source such, as a battery 62acting through a loop passing through board terminal No. l to a line 63through switch S1 to the positive lead of the first motor 18 and theneither through closed switch S3 and terminals 58, S (nighttime), orthrough closed switch 85, board terminal No. 3 and terminals 54, 50(daytime), and then in both instances back to the battery through boardtenninal No. 4. A diode 63a is provided between board terminal No. l andswitch S1 to prevent reverse motor operation in the event a battery isconnected backward.

The path by which the second motor 34 can be energized is determined bythe position of a relay switch 61 which is actu-' ated by a relay 64.Under normal daytime or nighttime positioning of the key switch 49, therelay 64 remains energized the daytime positioning providing currentfrom the battery 62 through board terminal No. 1, terminals 52, 56, andthrough board terminal No. 2 to the relay, and the nighttime positioningproviding current from a power source such as a battery 66 through asecurity loop circuit 68 through board terminal No. 2 to the relay. Adiode 69 is provided between board terminal No. 2 and the relay 64 forthe same purpose as diode 63a. in both daytime and nighttime settings,the negative lead of the relay is connected back to the negativeterminals of the batteries 62, 66 through board terminal No. 4.

The security loop circuit 68 is typically connected in series and passesthrough various door and window junctions and the like, the openingand/or breaking of such doors or windows causing a break in the securityloop circuit. It is to be noted that when the key switch 49 is on thenighttime setting, any break in the security loop circuit 68 willdeenergize the relay 64, while during the daytime setting such a breakwould have no effect upon the relay. The alarm system is thereforedeactivated throughout the daytime setting and activated throughout thenighttime setting. During the daytime setting, relay 64 is energized bybattery 62, and during the nighttime setting, relay 64 is energized bybattery 66. The two batteries normally have the same rating, typically 6volts.

When the relay 64 is energized and the moving arm of relay switch 61 isconnected to a line 70, the second motor 34 can be energized by thebattery 62 acting through a loop passing through board terminal No. l tothe positive lead of the second motor through switch S], a line 46, line70, and the relay switch 61. When the relay 64 is not energized and themoving arm of relay switch 61 is connected to a line 74, the secondmotor 34 can again be energized by the battery 62, but the loop passesthrough switch S2, line 48, closed switch S4, and the relay switch 61before connecting to the positive lead of the second motor. The negativelead of the second motor 34 hasthe same connective path back to thenegative battery terminal as does the negative lead to the relay 64.

The sequence of operation of the alarm system when there is no break-inis as follows: when the owner prepares to leave the premises such as inthe evening or for the weekend, he activates the security loop circuit68 by operating the key switch 49 to the on or nighttime position. Thefirst motor 18 is energized and begins rotating the first code wheel 12and the first spur gear 14. In the illustrated form of the invention,the teeth on the pinion l6 and the first spur gear 14 are selected toprovide two revolutions of the first code wheel 12 for every onerevolution of the first spurgear. The first motor 18 is deenergized whenthe pin 22 engages the operating arm 26 of switch S3 and opens it, suchengagement occuring after the first spur gear has rotated 180 and thefirst code wheel has rotated 360. During such rotation, the ten teeth onthe circumference of the first code wheel 12 each successively engagethe operating arms of switch S6 thereby generating an alarm signal whichis transmitted to the alarm circuit loop. The number and spacing of theteeth are only exemplary, as is the number of cycles of the alarmsignal, so long as the number and spacing of the teeth are codified toidentify the particular secured area involved and the number of cyclesof the coded alarm signal generated and transmitted identifies theoperation of the key switch 49.

When the owner returns to the protected premises, such as in themorning, he operates the key switch 49 to the off or daytime positionand thereby deactivates the alarm system. Such operation energizes thefirst motor 18, the first code wheel 12 and the first spur gear 14 beingrotated another 360 and 180, respectively, at which point the pin 22engages the operating arm 24 of switch S5 and opens it to break thecircuit. It will therefore be appreciated that whenever one cycle of thecoded alarm signal is generated and transmitted, the monitoring centerknows that the key switch 49 has been operated by personnel using theauthorized key in the key switch.

The sequence of operation of the alarm system when there is a break-induring the on or nighttime setting is as follows: the unauthorized entrybreaks the security loop circuit 68 and deenergizes the relay 64,thereby causing the relay switch 6] to change positions and connect thepositive lead of the second motor 34 to line 74. The second motor 34thus becomes energized and begins rotating the second code wheel 28 andthe second spur gear 30. In the illustrated form of the invention, theteeth on the pinion 32 and the second spur gear 30 are selected toprovide four revolutions of the second code wheel 28 for every onerevolution of the second spur gear. The second motor 34 is deenergizedwhen the pin 40 engages the operating arm 44 of switch S2 anddisconnects it from line 48 to break the circuit, such engagementoccurring after the second spur gear has rotated 270 and the second codewheel has rotated l,080 (three revolutions). During such rotation, theten teeth on the circumference of the second code wheel 28 eachsuccessively engage the operating arms of alarm signal switch S7 therebygenerating an alarm signal which is transmitted to the alarm circuitloop.

it is important that the alarm signal generated and transmitted as aresult of a break-in be codified to indicate location, and that it bedistinguishable from the alann signal used to identify operation of thekey switch 49. The preferred embodiment provides for the same codifiedsignal in each instance, i.e., the number and spacing of the teeth onthe first and second code wheels 12, 28 are identical, but as indicatedabove, a break-in produces three cycles of the alarm signal.

After there is a break-in, the key switch 49 is changed to the daytimesetting by the owner or a security guard, thereby energizing the relay64, connecting the moving arm of relay switch 61 to the line 70, andenergizing the second motor 34. The energized second motor 34 rotatesthe second code wheel 28 through 360 and second spur gear 30 throughuntil the pin 40 engages the operating arm 42 of switch S1 to disconnectit from line 46 and break the circuit. Immediately following theone-cycle alarm signal is another signal, the second being generated bythe first code wheel 12 and first spur gear 14 as they are rotated bythe first motor 18, the motor being energized through switch S] whichwas reconnected to the battery 62 when switch S1 was disconnected fromline 46. Therefore, when the monitoring center receives a two-cyclealarm signal following a break-in, the person at the center is on noticethat the key switch 49 has been changed to the daytime setting. The gapin the security loop circuit 68 is then closed or remedied by the owneror security guard, after which the alarm system is reactivated byoperating the key switch 49 from off to on, notice of such key switchoperation being provided by generation and transmission of a singlecycle of the coded alarm signal in the same manner as previouslydescribed.

The alarm system provides an indication of an intermittent break whichmay occur when during a nighttime setting, as when an electric eye beamor the like is interrupted, or when there is a weak or poor connectionin the system, or when there is a power failure, or when a door isopened and then closed. Under these circumstances, the second code wheel28 will turn l,440 (four revolutions) and the second spur gear 30 willturn 360 (one revolution). The first three revolutions of the secondcode wheel 28 occur because of the break or opening of the security loopcircuit 68 and the fourth revolution occurs because the reclosing of thesecurity loop circuit energizes the relay 64 and thereby energizes thesecond motor 34. The second motor 34 is deenergized when the operatingarm 42 for switch S1 is engaged by the pin 40 and disconnects switch 81from line 46, the result being an automatic resetting of the alarmsystem to the nighttime condition.

If there is an improper closing, such as a door being left open when theowner locks up for the evening and turns the key switch 49 to thenighttime setting, the usual generation and transmission of the singlecycle coded signal are immediately followed by the generation andtransmission of the three-cycle coded signal identified withunauthorized entry during the nighttime condition. Therefore, when themonitoring center receives a four-cycle signal, the person monitoringknows that a door or window has not been closed and can take thenecessary steps to close it. Such correction involves the same steps asfor resetting the system following a break-in as previously discussed.

It will therefore be apparent to those skilled in the art that an alarmsystem is provided which includes a first circuit means for generating afirst coded alarm signal whenever the key switch 49 is operated, andincludes a second circuit means for generating a second coded alarmsignal clearly distinguishable from the first whenever an unauthorizedentry oc curs during the nighttime setting. Furthermore, intermittentbreaks in the security loop circuit 68 are detected without having tomanually reset the nighttime condition and, in addition, improperclosings generate a coded alarm signal which is distinguishable from thekey switch operation signal and the break-in signal, thereby adding tothe novelty and usefulness of the invention.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed anddiscussed, it will be understood that other applications of theinvention are possible and that the embodiment disclosed may besubjected to various changes, modifications and substitutions withoutnecessarily departing from the spirit of the invention.

lclaim:

1. In an alann system having a security circuit loop passing through anenclosed area to be protected, power supply means for supplying currentto the security circuit loop, and an alarm circuit loop for transmittingalarm signals to a monitoring center monitoring a plurality of suchalarm systems, an improvement comprising:

an on-off circuit loop connected electrically to said power supply meansin parallel with said security circuit loop, and containing aselectively operable on-off switch located outside the area to beprotected adapted to close and thereby energize said on-off circuit loopwhen said switch is in its off position;

first circuit means for sensing operation of said on-off switch, and forgenerating a first alarm signal to indicate such operation and toidentify the particular system being monitored in which said operationtakes place; second circuit means for sensing a discontinuity in saidsecurity circuit loop, said second circuit means being adapted togenerate a second alarm signal in response to a discontinuity in saidsecurity circuit loop when said on-off switch is in its on position, andthereupon to generate a third alarm signal when said on-off switch isoperated to its off position, said second and third alarm signalsidentifying the particular system being monitored in which saiddiscontinuity exists, and said second alarm signal being distinguishablefrom said first alarm signal; and

transmitting means for coupling said first, second and third alarmsignals to the alarm circuit loop.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said transmitting meansincludes a first alarm signal switch coupled to the alarm circuit loop,and

in which said first circuit means includes a first code wheel foractuating said first alarm signal switch and a first motor for drivingsaid first code wheel, and

in which said on-ofi switch includes means for energizing said firstmotor when said on-off switch is operated from on to off,

said first circuit means further including first switch means fordeenergizing said first motor when said first alarm signal has beengenerated and transmitted through said first alarm signal switch to thealarm circuit loop.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said first circuit meansfurther includes first gear means coupled to said first code wheel foractuating said first switch means to deenergize said first motor whensaid first alarm signal has been generated and transmitted through saidfirst alarm signal switch to the alarm circuit loop.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said on-off circuit loopincludes means for energizing said first motor when said on-off switchis operated from off to on, with said first switch means deenergizingsaid first motor when said first alarm signal has been generated therebyand transmitted through said first alarm signal switch to said alarmcircuit loop.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which said first switch meansinclude two switches in parallel with said first motor, one of which isclosed by said on-off switch being operated from on to off, and theother of which is closed by said on-off switch being operated from offto on.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said transmitting meansincludes a second alarm signal switch coupled to the alarm circuit loop,and

in which said second circuit means includes a second code wheel foractuating said second alarm signal switch, a second motor for drivingsaid second code wheel, and means for energizing said second motor whensaid on-off switch is on and said discontinuity is sensed, saidenergizing means including second switch means for deenergizing saidsecond motor when said second alarm signal has been generated andtransmitted through said second alarm signal switch to the alarm circuitloop.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said second circuit meansfurther includes second gear means coupled to said second code wheel foractuating said second switch means to deenergize said second motor whensaid second alarm signal has been generated and transmitted through saidsecond alarm signal switch to the alarm circuit loop.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said second circuit meansis adapted to generate a fourth alarm signal in the event the securitycircuit loop, once having been disrupted, is again closed while theon-off switch is still in its on position.

1. In an alarm system having a security circuit loop passing through anenclosed area to be protected, power supply means for supplying currentto the security circuit loop, and an alarm circuit loop for transmittingalarm signals to a monitoring center monitoring a plurality of suchalarm systems, an improvement comprising: an on-off circuit loopconnected electrically to said power supply means in parallel with saidsecurity circuit loop, and containing a selectively operable on-offswitch located outside the area to be protected adapted to close andthereby energize said on-off circuit loop when said switch is in its offposition; first circuit means for sensing operation of said on-offswitch, and for generating a first alarm signal to indicate suchoperation and to identify the particular system being monitored in whichsaid operation takes place; second circuit means for sensing adiscontinuity in said security circuit loop, said second circuit meansbeing adapted to generate a second alarm signal in response to adiscontinuity in said security circuit loop when said on-off switch isin its on position, and thereupon to generate a third alarm signal whensaid on-off switch is operated to its off position, said second andthird alarm signals identifying the particular system being monitored inwhich said discontinuity exists, and said second alarm signal beingdistinguishable from said first alarm signal; and transmitting means forcoupling said first, second and third alarm signals to the alarm circuitloop.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said transmittingmeans includes a first alarm signal switch coupled to the alarm circuitloop, and in which said first circuit means includes a first code wheelfor actuating said first alarm signal switch and a first motor fordriving said first code wheel, and in which said oN-off switch includesmeans for energizing said first motor when said on-off switch isoperated from on to off, said first circuit means further includingfirst switch means for deenergizing said first motor when said firstalarm signal has been generated and transmitted through said first alarmsignal switch to the alarm circuit loop.
 3. Apparatus as defined inclaim 2 in which said first circuit means further includes first gearmeans coupled to said first code wheel for actuating said first switchmeans to deenergize said first motor when said first alarm signal hasbeen generated and transmitted through said first alarm signal switch tothe alarm circuit loop.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which saidon-off circuit loop includes means for energizing said first motor whensaid on-off switch is operated from off to on, with said first switchmeans deenergizing said first motor when said first alarm signal hasbeen generated thereby and transmitted through said first alarm signalswitch to said alarm circuit loop.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 inwhich said first switch means include two switches in parallel with saidfirst motor, one of which is closed by said on-off switch being operatedfrom on to off, and the other of which is closed by said on-off switchbeing operated from off to on.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 inwhich said transmitting means includes a second alarm signal switchcoupled to the alarm circuit loop, and in which said second circuitmeans includes a second code wheel for actuating said second alarmsignal switch, a second motor for driving said second code wheel, andmeans for energizing said second motor when said on-off switch is on andsaid discontinuity is sensed, said energizing means including secondswitch means for deenergizing said second motor when said second alarmsignal has been generated and transmitted through said second alarmsignal switch to the alarm circuit loop.
 7. Apparatus as defined inclaim 6 in which said second circuit means further includes second gearmeans coupled to said second code wheel for actuating said second switchmeans to deenergize said second motor when said second alarm signal hasbeen generated and transmitted through said second alarm signal switchto the alarm circuit loop.
 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 inwhich said second circuit means is adapted to generate a fourth alarmsignal in the event the security circuit loop, once having beendisrupted, is again closed while the on-off switch is still in its onposition.